The Jets waived John Conner after 35 career games with the team. Photo taken by Rich Barnes for USA TODAY.
Kevin Kelly reports:
After getting cut by the New York Jets in October, John Conner was at home in Cincinnati, working out and waiting by the phone. The Lakota West grad didn’t have to wait long. After Bengals fullback Chris Pressley was injured against the Eagles, Conner joined the team he grew up rooting for. In his first game in stripes, the Bengals will have a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
After losing Chris Pressley to a season-ending knee injury in Thursday’s victory against the Eagles, the Bengals addressed their sudden need for a bruising fullback by signing John Conner over the weekend.
The former Lakota West standout played in 54 games at the University of Kentucky and was selected by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Conner did not miss a game in his first two NFL seasons and was on the Jets’ roster for the first six games this season. Injuries limited him to three games on the field, and on Oct. 18 the Jets waived him after 35 career games with the team.
Conner returned home and had been working out at Ignition in Mason. A Bengals fan growing up, he joins the team at a pivotal time. The Bengals can clinch a playoff spot with a victory against the Steelers on Sunday at Heinz Field.
Earlier this week, Conner answered five questions from The Enquirer’s Kevin Kelly.
QUESTION: From an individual standpoint, is this as close to an ideal situation to walk into at this point in the season?
CONNER: Absolutely. It’s a great situation to come in to. I see a team that has a lot of talent and has a chance to go far in the playoffs. I’m happy to be here to help us out.
Q: What have you been up to for the past couple of months?
CONNER: I’ve just been training, getting healthy and rehabbing. Just trying to get fresh and waiting on that call. And I got that call from the Bengals. It couldn’t be a better place.
Q: What injuries were you dealing with?
CONNER: I had a sprained MCL, and then I also had a pulled hamstring. All that’s healthy. I’ve had plenty of time to heal.
Q: A lot of fans around here have followed your career from Lakota West to UK to the Jets, but what should they expect to see from you with the Bengals?
CONNER: Just the same guy. Nothing’s changed. I’m here. I’m just going to do what I do to the best of my ability to help this team out.
Q: As a Bengals fan growing up, who was your favorite player?
CONNER: Since I’m a running back, I would probably say Corey Dillon. I liked him back in the day.
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